The Zheztyrnak, the Woman with Copper Claws
In Kazakh folklore, a beautiful woman waits by the road in the lonely steppe. Look closely at her hands: her nails are made of copper.
What was reported
The zheztyrnak, whose name means 'copper claws', is a demon of Kazakh folklore. She appears as a beautiful young woman in remote places, in the steppes, mountains and deserts, and lures travellers to her.
Her real nature is revealed by her long, sharp nails of copper, or her copper beak, with which she attacks her victims. She's said to fear fire and loud noise, and to be defeated by those clever enough to recognise her.
Explanations offered
The zheztyrnak belongs to a widespread family of Central Asian female demons, such as the albasty, and reflects the dangers of travelling alone across vast empty lands. Such stories were told around fires in yurts on long nights.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
- Witnesses
- Kazakh folklore
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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